Delhi set to generate 450 MW of solar power

[ezcol_1half]An internal survey reportedly carried out by the city administration has revealed that 2.25 lakh square metre space on the roof-tops of government buildings could be easily utilised for setting up solar panels in the national capital. The survey is said to have suggested that the setting up of the solar panels would help the administration to generate about 450 MW of electricity, which is one-tenth of the average power consumption of the entire city.

Sources said that the city administration was keen to go ahead with the solar power project as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had time and again emphasised to set up clean energy projects. “That’s precisely why a team of senior officers had gone to Gujarat to study the way the state had set up its solar energy park,” a senior official told this newspaper.

In a recent meeting, lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung directed his officers to identify those government buildings having clear roof tops of more than 100 square metre for setting up of solar panels in the national capital.

[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end] He said that the exercise would enable power department to work out a detailed plan for roof top solar photovoltaic projects in an integrated manner.

The power department on its own asked the Public Works Depart-ment to identify government buildings having rooftop area of about 500 square metres. The power department has suggested that the PWD should also identify hospitals and schools and colleges which were getting 100 per cent funds from the city administration.

A senior government official said that a solar plant of 100 KW has already been made operational at Vikas Bhawan II. Set up at an estimated cost of about `1.80 crore, the plant has been supplying power 24×7. Solar panels have also been installed at Safdarjung Tomb and Jantar Mantar. Now the administration is planning to set up solar panels at Mandoli Jail.